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LA BELLE EPOQUE
| Luxury barge vacation cruises on the French hotel barge LA BELLE EPOQUE cruising the Canal de Bourgogne of Burgundy, France |  |
French Hotel Barge LA BELLE EPOQUE
Canal de Bourgogne - Burgundy, France
GUIDED WALKING TOUR CRUISE ITINERARY
Sunday,
Day 1 - Montbard to Tanlay
We rendezvous in Montbard and transfer to the barge, moored in Tanlay, in a private air-conditioned minibus. A full crew Welcome Aboard with champagne and canapés during which we hear about the week’s itinerary, its walks and its activities. After time to settle into your cabin we gather for our Welcome Dinner on board - a wonderful introduction to Burgundy’s excellent cuisine.
Monday, Day 2 - Tanlay to Lezine
After a delicious breakfast which includes fresh croissants from a local boulangerie, we start our holiday with a morning cruise through the Burgundian countryside to Lezinne. After lunch on board we visit the 16th Century Renaissance-style Chateau de Tanlay for a guided tour of this beautiful castle. We are then transferred a short distance by minibus to our first countryside walk. This takes us through farmland and woods from which we emerge into the glorious Tonnerois vineyards at Epineuil, in October ablaze with hues of gold, yellow and orange.
Tuesday, Day 3 - Lezinne to Ancy le Franc
We start the day with a canal-side walk passing ancient villages before we depart for the world-famous town and vineyards of Chablis. Lunch out at a local auberge then we see some of the sites before we enjoy a private wine-tasting at the Domaine Servan, renowned for its Premier and Grand Cru wines popularized by Alex Lichine in the 1950's. There is time to wander around the town before we return to the barge at Ancy le Franc.
Wednesday, Day 4 - Ancy le Franc to Ravières
A morning visit to Noyers sur Serein, listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France, to enjoy the vegetables, cheeses, colors and delights of the local market. We are then guided around the medieval streets and ramparts before returning to the barge for lunch. In the afternoon we either enjoy a lazy cruise gently down Ravières or walk there by a ciruitous route through the Burgundian countryside. We start this in the ancient village of Chassignelles where we visit its historic 12th Century church to see some of the best preserved wall paintings in Burgundy.
Thursday, Day 5 - Ravières to Montbard
Starting at the tiny village of Cry, this morning’s walk takes us through a cacophony of woodland, rolling fields and a ruined castle. In the afternoon we drive to the exquisite World Heritage Unesco site of Abbey de Fontenay founded by St Bernard in 1118. Not only is it a wonderful example of early Cistercian architecture but it is virtually intact. With its peaceful gardens and ponds and fascinating cloisters, dormitories and scriptorium, Fontenay gives an exceptional glimpse of Cistercian life and industry. A transfer back to the barge will give you time to stroll around the ancient centre of Montbard before dinner; or you can take a hearty walk from the abbey to the barge, arriving just before sunset.
Friday, Day 6 - Montbard to Venarey les Laumes
After climbing out of the valley our final walk takes us past fields of Charollais cattle and through the hamlet of Benoisey before reaching Grignan where we descend to meet the barge. En route we have the best views of the week with stunning vistas across the valley of the Brenne and the Canal du Bourgogne. In the afternoon we first visit the fascinating walled hilltop village of Flavigny sur Ozerain, where the film Chocolat was made. This is followed by a visit Alesia, the site of the final battle between the Gauls and Romans that took place in 52 BC, before ending the afternoon in the medieval fortified town of Semur en Auxois. We return to the barge moored at Venarey les Laumes for the Captain’s Farewell Dinner.
Saturday, Day 7 - Venarey les Laumes
After breakfast, disembark and transfer to Montbard station by 11am.
Notes:
LA BELLE EPOQUE HOME > ITINERARY > Guided Walking Tour Itinerary
Canal de Bourgogne - Burgundy, France
GUIDED WALKING TOUR CRUISE ITINERARY
No special
supplement for Individual Cabin Bookings for the Walking Tour
scheduled
September 30 - October 6 and October 21-27, 2012
Sunday,
Day 1 - Montbard to TanlayWe rendezvous in Montbard and transfer to the barge, moored in Tanlay, in a private air-conditioned minibus. A full crew Welcome Aboard with champagne and canapés during which we hear about the week’s itinerary, its walks and its activities. After time to settle into your cabin we gather for our Welcome Dinner on board - a wonderful introduction to Burgundy’s excellent cuisine.
Monday, Day 2 - Tanlay to Lezine
After a delicious breakfast which includes fresh croissants from a local boulangerie, we start our holiday with a morning cruise through the Burgundian countryside to Lezinne. After lunch on board we visit the 16th Century Renaissance-style Chateau de Tanlay for a guided tour of this beautiful castle. We are then transferred a short distance by minibus to our first countryside walk. This takes us through farmland and woods from which we emerge into the glorious Tonnerois vineyards at Epineuil, in October ablaze with hues of gold, yellow and orange.
Tuesday, Day 3 - Lezinne to Ancy le Franc
We start the day with a canal-side walk passing ancient villages before we depart for the world-famous town and vineyards of Chablis. Lunch out at a local auberge then we see some of the sites before we enjoy a private wine-tasting at the Domaine Servan, renowned for its Premier and Grand Cru wines popularized by Alex Lichine in the 1950's. There is time to wander around the town before we return to the barge at Ancy le Franc.
Wednesday, Day 4 - Ancy le Franc to Ravières
A morning visit to Noyers sur Serein, listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France, to enjoy the vegetables, cheeses, colors and delights of the local market. We are then guided around the medieval streets and ramparts before returning to the barge for lunch. In the afternoon we either enjoy a lazy cruise gently down Ravières or walk there by a ciruitous route through the Burgundian countryside. We start this in the ancient village of Chassignelles where we visit its historic 12th Century church to see some of the best preserved wall paintings in Burgundy.
Thursday, Day 5 - Ravières to Montbard
Starting at the tiny village of Cry, this morning’s walk takes us through a cacophony of woodland, rolling fields and a ruined castle. In the afternoon we drive to the exquisite World Heritage Unesco site of Abbey de Fontenay founded by St Bernard in 1118. Not only is it a wonderful example of early Cistercian architecture but it is virtually intact. With its peaceful gardens and ponds and fascinating cloisters, dormitories and scriptorium, Fontenay gives an exceptional glimpse of Cistercian life and industry. A transfer back to the barge will give you time to stroll around the ancient centre of Montbard before dinner; or you can take a hearty walk from the abbey to the barge, arriving just before sunset.
Friday, Day 6 - Montbard to Venarey les Laumes
After climbing out of the valley our final walk takes us past fields of Charollais cattle and through the hamlet of Benoisey before reaching Grignan where we descend to meet the barge. En route we have the best views of the week with stunning vistas across the valley of the Brenne and the Canal du Bourgogne. In the afternoon we first visit the fascinating walled hilltop village of Flavigny sur Ozerain, where the film Chocolat was made. This is followed by a visit Alesia, the site of the final battle between the Gauls and Romans that took place in 52 BC, before ending the afternoon in the medieval fortified town of Semur en Auxois. We return to the barge moored at Venarey les Laumes for the Captain’s Farewell Dinner.
Saturday, Day 7 - Venarey les Laumes
After breakfast, disembark and transfer to Montbard station by 11am.
Notes:
- On alternative weeks the cruise is in reverse direction. This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
- We recommend you book the following trains in advance: Before cruise (Sunday) Paris Gare de Lyon to Montbard (TGV), train departs Paris Gare de Lyon at 16:58hrs and arrives in Montbard at 18:04hrs. End of cruise (Saturday) Montbard to Paris Gare de Lyon (TGV), train departs 11:28hrs arriving in Paris Gare de Lyon at 12:37hrs.
LA BELLE EPOQUE HOME > ITINERARY > Guided Walking Tour Itinerary